Anchor means for tubular post

ABSTRACT

Anchor means for tubular posts intended to be driven into the ground comprising upper and lower anchor members. The upper anchor member comprises two interlocked components which embrace the post below the ground level and prevent it from tipping or leaning by functioning as a cantilever plate and distributing lateral stresses applied to the post over a substantially large earth area. The lower anchor member comprises a sheet metal plate having slots to receive the lower open end of the post and functions to improve the cantilever stability provided by the upper anchor member.

United States Patent [191 Stillman, Jr.

[ ANCHOR MEANS FOR TUBULAR POST [75] Inventor: Harold W. Stillman, Jr.,Western Springs, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago,

Ill.

[22] Filed: June 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 150,359

[52] US. Cl. ..-......52/154, 52/155, 248/156, 256/DIG. 5

[51] Int. Cl. ..E04h 17/22 [58] FieldofSearch ..52/154, 153, 156,52/166, 155, 158, 159; 256/DIG. 5; 248/156 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 5/1883 Gorle ..52/l54 9/1967 Nelson.....

3,132,726 5/1964 Johnson ...52/l53 684,838 10/1901 Matheison......52/l54 287,923 11/1883 Gorle ..52/l54 Apr. 17, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 11,688 8/1884 GreatBritain .....52/l56 125,202 4/1919GmatBritain ..248/l56 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. AttomeyNatha.nN. Kraus and Joseph R. Marcus ABSTRACT The lower anchor member comprisesa sheet metal plate having slots to receive the lower open end of thepost and functions to improve the cantilever stability provided by theupper anchor member.

,8Clains,9DrawingFigures PATENTED APR 1 71913 INVENTOIZ iZ an /7BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system ofanchor means for tubular postswhich, in erected position, are intendedto be driven into the ground or set into predrilled holesand backfilled, as distinguished from posts which are set in concrete. Thesystem comprises upper and lower anchor members engaged with the lowerend portion of the post, in spaced relation. The upper anchor membercomprises two interlocking sheet metal plates which embrace the post andprevent it from tipping or leaning by distributing over a substantiallylarge area of earth near the ground line, any lateral stress or loadapplied to the post. The load is transmitted from the post to the upperanchor member with the earth pressure causing the anchor member to actas a cantilever plate.

The lower anchor member comprises a sheet metal plate having slots whichreceive the lower open end of the post. Its function is to improve thecantilever stability afforded by the upper anchor member by providing arelatively large vertical bearing area in con-tact with the earth nearthe bottom of the post.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of this invention is theprovision of a system of improved anchor means for tubular posts whichsecure a post against tipping or leaning resulting from forces or loadsapplied laterally to the upper portions of the post.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a system of anchormeans for tubular posts including upper and lower components formed ofsheet metal and arranged to be interlocked and assembled on the lowerend of a post with a minimum of skill and effort.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a system ofanchor means for tubular posts which provide substantially large bearingareas in contact with the earth to provide maximum resistance todisplacement of a post, resulting from the application of lateralstresses or loads supplied to the upper portions of the post.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of anchormeans of the foregoing character which may be economically fabricated bystamping from sheet metal.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showingthe anchor means, in accordance with my invention, applied to a tubularpost;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of theanchor means embodying the invention preparatory to assembly on thepost;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the lower anchor member illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a partially fabricated blank ofthe upper anchor member in flat condition, preparatory to the finalbending operation;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, but onan enlarged scale, and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale,

taken substantially on line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one of the components of the upper anchormember, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; v

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, but on an enlargedscale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT presently described. Theupper anchor'member 11' comprises a pair of identical components 13 and14, each formed of a sheet metal blank 15, shaped substantially asillustrated in FIG. 7. The blank 15 in its final form includes wallportions 16 and 17 disposed at a right angle to each other andintegrally connected to an intermediate arcuate portion 18 preferablyhaving a radius of curvature conforming to the curvature of the tubularpost 10 so as toobtain maximum surface engagement with the periphery ofthe post 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Where the post is square incross-section, the component will include an appropriate bend in theportion 18. Each component 13 and 14 is provided with two slots 19 and21 extending inwardly from one longitudinal edge. The marginal edgeportions adjacent each slot 19 and 21 are bent, substantially asillustrated in FIG. 8, to provide aC rib 22 which affords increasedrigidity, thus preventing shear displacement when exerting pressure onthe earth. Additionally, each o f the 'walls 16 and 17 is provided,intermediately thereof, with a V rib 23 to stifien the component fordriving purposes, as will be hereinafter explained. The terminalportions of the walls 16 and 17 are bent at right angles to the planesof the respective walls, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 5, to formflanges 26 and 27. I

In assembly, the two components 13 and 14 are interengaged inconfronting relation, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, sothat the slots 19 and 21 of I one component receive the wall portions 17and 16 respectively, of the opposite component. The components snuglyembrace the post 10, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3.

The lower anchor member 12 comprises a generally rectangular sheet metalpanel provided with three spaced V ribs 28 extending transversely forstiffening purposes. The panel is slit on opposite sides of the centerrib, as at 29 and 31, substantially to a point about midway of theheight of the panel. The marginal edges of each slit 29 and 31 aretransversely sheared, as illustrated in FIG. 6, to provide two series ofconfronting tabs 32, with corresponding tabs of each series being bentin opposite directions. Thus, as seen in FIG. 9 the tabs 32a and 32bconstituting a pair arebent in opposite directions in relation to theplane of the member 12 while the tabs 32c and 32d constituting anadjacent pair, immediately below the first mentioned pair, are bentoppositely in relation to said pair to provide bearing edges forengagement with the inner and outer surfaces of the post wall 10. Thisaids in stabilizing the member anchor 12 while engaged with the post,preventing wobble and aiding in driving performance. Because the tabs 32are generally resilient small variations in tube wall thickness areeasily accommodated. The lower corner portions of anchor member 12 arecut away as at 33 and 34 to facilitate installation in the earth. a

In assembly of the anchor members 11 and 12 to the post 10, the loweropen end of the post is inserted in the slit spaces 29 and 31 betweenthe tabs 32, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9. The post may bedriven into the ground or set in a predrilled hole and back filled. Whendriven into the ground the earth is forced up into the bottom of thepost. This assists in stabilizing the anchor member 12 so that it ismaintained in registration with the post axis during driving and affordsgreater resistance to earth in service.

The anchor member 11 with the components 13 and 14interengaged, as abovedescribed, is then mounted on the post 10 and driven into the ground toa point where its top edges are disposed slightly below the groundlevel. It will be understood that the upper v anchor member 11 may beassembled on the post 10 by interengaging the components 13 and 14 atany point along the length of the post.

The upper anchor member 1 1 is arranged on the post 10, in erectedposition, so that the major axis A-A, as shown in FIG. 3, preferably isdisposed parallel to the plane of the fence for abutting engagement withthe opposing earth. The lower anchor member 12 correspondingly issimilarly disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the fence.

It will be understood, however, that the upper anchor member 11 may bearranged on the postin different positions in relation to the plane ofthe fence, in order to meet different requirements of service. Forexample, when the anchor member 11 is arranged as illustrated in FIG. 3,with the walls 16 and 17 disposed at 45 angles in relation to the planeof the fence, all four walls 16 and 17 are equally effective intransmitting forces to the earth. Wall flexture is reduced and the earthmass is trapped between walls 16 and 17 and flanges 26 and 27 and movesas a unit, similar to concrete.

The upper anchor member 11 so arranged prevents the post from tipping orleaning by distributing over a relatively large area of earth anylateral load or stress which may be applied to the post. Such load orstress is transmitted by the post to the upper anchor member 1 l withearth pressure, in effect, causing the anchor member 11' to function inthe manner of a cantilever plate. When the anchor member 11 is arrangedso that the walls 16 are parallel and the walls 17 are at right anglesto the plane of the fence, the flanges 26 provide additional bearingarea normal to the fence plane. All four walls and flanges thus, areeffective in resisting cantilever post forces.

The flanges 26 and 27 serve to improve the structural performance of theanchor member 11. They offer greater column stiffness to reduce injuryto the member while being driven into the earth and in addition, providegreater lateral cantilever beam strength.

While the use of the flanges 26 and 27 affords the above notedadvantages, it will be understood that it is within the purview of myinvention to use a modified embodiment in which the flanges areeliminated.

The lower anchor member in combination with the present upper member orany other upper member system functions to improve the fence postcantilever stability by providing a relatively large bearing area whichcan act against a corresponding earth area and thereby achieve acondition of equilibrium of shear and moment.

It will be understood that preferably both upper and lower anchormembers 11 and 12 are used in combination in conditions where thepotential lateral stresses or loads directed against a fence or post areof a relatively high degree, where resistance to post displacement inall four directions is desired, or where the earth conditions are suchthat a relatively large surface area of the earth must be engaged toachieve stability of the post. Where the lateral load is relativelylight or where the earth is compact and of high density, use of a loweranchor member may be eliminated and reliance for stability placedentirely on the top anchor member. Also, where the application of theload to the fence is only in two directions, one opposite the other, oneof the components 13 or 14 may be modified so as to include only thearcuate portion 18, the slots 19 and 21 and relatively short lengths ofwall portion 16 and 17 the wall portions terminating just beyond theslots. Such a modified component is intended to be used primarily forthe purpose of effecting securement of the opposing unmodified componentto the post, since it provides a minimal bearing surface against theearth.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to belimited to the specific embodiments shown and described or usesmentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of myinvention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Anchor means for erecting a tubular post in the ground comprising, afirst component comprising a pair of vertical rectangular platesdisposed substantially at about a vertical corner edge, each of saidplates having formed in its upper edge a vertical slot defined byadjacent marginal edge portions each formed into rigidifying ribs, asecond component comprising a second pair of rectangular plates disposedsubstantially at 90 about a vertical corner edge and having a widthsubstantially the same as said first pair of plates, each' of the platesof said second pair having slots defined by marginal edge portionsdisposed similarly to the slots and marginal edge portions of the platesof said first pair with respect to the corner edge but located in thelower edges of the plates, said second component being disposed so thatits plates intersect the plates of the first component with the slots ofone component interengaging the slots of the other component with therigidifying ribs of said marginal edge portions defining saidinterengaging slots of each component engaging in shear displacementpreventing relation with the other component, and with the post beingreceived between the corner edge portions of said components when thesame are disposed below the surface of the ground, in the erectedposition of the post.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the terminal edgeportion of each plate of one component is bent at a right angle to theplane of the plate in the direction of the other component, the marginaledge portions of each slot are formed into C ribs, and each of theplates has a vertically extending reinforcing rib.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a lower anchor memberdisposed below said first and second components and comprising a platehaving a pair of spaced slots in its upper edge, with the lower endportion of the post being received in said slots, said plate having avertically extending reinforcing rib positioned between said pair ofspaced slots.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the marginal edgeportions of said slots are transversely slit to form tabs engagingopposite surfaces of the post wall.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 inwhich the in its upper edge,with the lower end portion of the post being received in said slots,said plate having a vertically extending reinforcing rib positionedbetween said pair of spaced slots, said anchor means being disposedbelow the surface of the ground in the erected position of the post.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 in which the edge portions ofsaid slots are transversely slit to form tabs engaging opposite surfacesof the post wall.

l l 0 t i

1. Anchor means for erecting a tubular post in the ground comprising, afirst component comprising a pair of vertical rectangular platesdisposed substantially at 90* about a vertical corner edge, each of saidplates having formed in its upper edge a vertical slot defined byadjacent marginal edge portions each formed into rigidifying ribs, asecond component comprising a second pair of rectangular plates disposedsubstantially at 90* about a vertical corner edge and having a widthsubstantially the same as said first pair of plates, each of the platesof said second pair having slots defined by marginal edge portionsdisposed similarly to the slots and marginal edge portions of the platesof said first pair with respect to the corner edge but located in thelower edges of the plates, said second component being disposed so thatits plates intersect the plates of the first component with the slots ofone component interengaging the slots of the other component with therigidifying ribs of said marginal edge portions defining saidinterengaging slots of each component engaging in shear displacementpreventing relation with the other component, and with the post beingreceived between the corner edge portions of said components when thesame are disposed below the surface of the ground, in the erectedposition of the post.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in whichthe terminal edge portion of each plate of one component is bent at aright angle to the plane of the plate in the direction of the othercomponent, the marginal edge portions of each slot are formed into Cribs, and each of the plates has a vertically extending reinforcing rib.3. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a lower anchor memberdisposed below said first and second components and comprising a platehaving a pair of spaced slots in its upper edge, with the lower endportion of the post being received in said slots, said plate having avertically extending reinforcing rib positioned between said pair ofspaced slots.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which themarginal edge portions of said slots are transversely slit to form tabsengaging opposite surfaces of the post wall.
 5. The invention as definedin claim 3 in which the tabs are bent alternately in oppositedirections.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which the plate ofthe lower anchor member is provided with a plurality of verticalreinforcing ribs.
 7. Anchor means for erecting a tubular post in theground comprising a generally rectangular, substantially planar platehaving a pair of spaced slots formed in its upper edge, with the lowerend portion of the post being received in said slots, said plate havinga vertically extending reinforcing rib positioned between said pair ofspaced slots, said anchor means being disposed below the surface of theground in the erected position of the post.
 8. The inVention as definedin claim 7 in which the edge portions of said slots are transverselyslit to form tabs engaging opposite surfaces of the post wall.